Korf returns to the MCUSA fold as our freelance H-D ringer. Here is his report on his impressions of the 2007 Harley-Davidson CVO lineup. Plain old regular Hogs won't ever be the same for Ilkorfagio now that he has tasted the forbidden CVO fruit.

You can call them what you will but a HD is an HD is an HD no matter how you color it or call it and that is the truth! I've ridden a few HD's over the years and to be honest that was a few to many. The last HOG I rode was a full dress new 2004 Road King 2 years ago. My wife and I rented one to go up the coast to Santa Barbara from L.A. I wanted to see what the hoopla was all about with these HOGS.

My impression was this, no power, wanted to fall over at every stop or on every take off, brakes sucked, tranny sucked even more and the seat!!!! As GOD is my witness my ASS was killing me about 45 minutes into the ride!!! I swear it felt like I had gone 3,000 miles non stop after only riding for just over 200. And this thing has a BIG ol seat taboot!!

I'll take a Honda ST1300 any day of the week!

I've been riding for 40 years and I've raced MX and road raced as well so I know how a decent bike should be. It amazes me to this day that with all of HD's resources why they still live in the early 1900's? Why do you have to have a 1,200cc bike competing with 600 in the Xtreme calls?

If HD built a decent bike I'd be the first in line to buy one. They have tried and failed at road racing so they can concentrate on bikes that are made of good ol US steel, that weigh a ton and vibrate to the point of being a blur at a stop light.

For me I think HD's are like that old kids fable. the king has new clothes but he's actually naked. I think one day people who onw HD’s will realize they've been had and that they have bought a pile when they could have purchased a far better bike for half the cost.

How does the chassis and the engine of these 110 CVOs feel compared to the Yam Roadliners? Or Suzi M109?I ask cuz the E-Glide and Road K that I rented had a flexy chassis and so even though they were slow it seems that adding more powah would be something that the chassis would have probs with.The bikes in the test really are road jewellry , as can be expected given the $$

Desmolicious said...How does the chassis and the engine of these 110 CVOs feel compared to the Yam Roadliners? Or Suzi M109?I ask cuz the E-Glide and Road K that I rented had a flexy chassis and so even though they were slow it seems that adding more powah would be something that the chassis would have probs with.

The Road King we tested for an upcoming shootout had a very flexy chassis that I didn't like. But when I tested an '07 Electra Glide, it didn't have the RK's flex, which is weird because they share the same chassis. The Roadliner is a better handler by far, and I imagine I'd say the same about the M109R if I ever get my ass on one!

Since the TC88 motor was only adequate in its power in a RK or EG, the new TC96 (and I'm sure the TC110) is a welcome improvement that can be enjoyed 100% of the time. It won't make the handling worse, as it will still have the same limitations.

I thought that the handling on all the bikes at the CVO intro were adept at what they were built for, cruising. If you want to tear up the twisties on a cruiser, there are better options out there. People who are candidates for the CVO line are likely H-D aficionados already and they know how these bikes will function with regard to their riding/touring needs. My point being, comparing the Yams to the H-D's is really rather existential, especially for HOG owners.

Ok, Kevin answered the handling side of it (thanks!), Korf how about the motor side of it? Had any experience on the Roadliner or M109 to compare against the 96 or 110 cube HD? Sure it wouldn't matter to HD riders who would only ride HDs, but there are others out there with more open minds!

Desmo - I haven't had the pleasure of riding the Roadliner, but after riding metric cruisers of equal or near equal displacement, I'd have to say they are equally matched in terms of thrust. The H-D mill was good, especially with the Screamin' Eagle goodies, but I wouldn't say it was better or more powerful than the VTX1800, V2K, or any similarly displaced powerplants. I'd say, it's close and only a dyno and back to back riding could sort it out.

Clouding the issue even further is the weight of each machine. There is a significant different between the 110 TC on the Dyna and the Road King. After conferring with Dukalicious we estimate it's similar to the Roadliner and only a head to head test would demonstrate the differences.

Thanks for the response. So basically just from an engine output standpoint, to get what the Roadliner, M109 etc offer, you'd have to step up to a TC110 and the $25K price tag. ('course I'm ignoring the fact that the HD's have much better paint/chrome/detailing). (and I'm ognoring the fact that pretty soon I'm sure the 110 stuff will be offered as a kit for the 96 by HD).

Actually, it's a safe bet the M109R will be able to beat a Roadliner in a dragrace. To me, the TC96 in the new softail feels just a tad less powerful than the Roadliner, so I'd guess the TC110 would be right in the ballpark.

Rapids996 said...You can call them what you will but a HD is an HD is an HD no matter how you color it or call it and that is the truth! I've ridden a few HD's over the years and to be honest that was a few to many. The last HOG I rode was a full dress new 2004 Road King 2 years ago. My wife and I rented one to go up the coast to Santa Barbara from L.A. I wanted to see what the hoopla was all about with these HOGS.

My impression was this, no power, wanted to fall over at every stop or on every take off, brakes sucked, tranny sucked even more and the seat!!!! As GOD is my witness my ASS was killing me about 45 minutes into the ride!!! I swear it felt like I had gone 3,000 miles non stop after only riding for just over 200. And this thing has a BIG ol seat taboot!!

I'll take a Honda ST1300 any day of the week!

I've been riding for 40 years and I've raced MX and road raced as well so I know how a decent bike should be. It amazes me to this day that with all of HD's resources why they still live in the early 1900's? Why do you have to have a 1,200cc bike competing with 600 in the Xtreme calls?

If HD built a decent bike I'd be the first in line to buy one. They have tried and failed at road racing so they can concentrate on bikes that are made of good ol US steel, that weigh a ton and vibrate to the point of being a blur at a stop light.

For me I think HD's are like that old kids fable. the king has new clothes but he's actually naked. I think one day people who onw HD’s will realize they've been had and that they have bought a pile when they could have purchased a far better bike for half the cost.

Rapids996 said...and vibrate to the point of being a blur at a stop light.

Those of us who ride, rather than spend our time at stop lights, notice that the vibration goes away once underway. H-D makes some very good, very functional bikes, for their intended purpose (touring the wide-open spaces of America at semi-legal speeds). I suggest you stick with the ST1300, the boringest bike of all time (perhaps with the exception of the Honda Pacific Coast).

May all your astronomical perturbations be within a standard deviation of the norm.

1k makes a great point. Yes, H-Ds vibrate at idle, but once up to speed, the vibrations are much less noticable. Besides, if you're in the market for an H-D, vibration is probably the last thing on your mind.

It should be noted that Harley builds two Big Twins that have different characteristics. The rubber-mount motors vibrate a lot at idle but are smooth on the road. The TC-B motors have counterbalancers and don't exibit the same vibes at idle. Both have vibrations well tuned out once up to speed.

? W/the Dyna's CVO 110 motor added to the line up did anyone hear of getting the optional motor in the Fatboy. Being new to the program I was just wondering if a optional motor (didn't read any option in the specs off HD web site but...) was available in the future for the Fatboy, or if it would even fit.

bkorfhage said...I thought that the handling on all the bikes at the CVO intro were adept at what they were built for, cruising. If you want to tear up the twisties on a cruiser, there are better options out there. People who are candidates for the CVO line are likely H-D aficionados already and they know how these bikes will function with regard to their riding/touring needs. My point being, comparing the Yams to the H-D's is really rather existential, especially for HOG owners.

That's they way I see it too. Who wants to haul ass through the twisties driving a truck? They are what they are and while the 96 inch has been needed for a while, it's nowhere near the improvement many folks make when the have their TC88 pumped to the traditional 95 inch because they don't have to worry about the EPA and they can uses better cams, higher compression and so on. If you're looking for a sport touring bike why are you standing in a Harley dealer in the first place? I'm still trying to figure that one out.......

Yeah, count me in on this, or in California terminology, I'm so down with that . Terms like vibration are so relative. Personally I like the situation of the rubber mount Harley. Gives good vibe at a stop light, smooth as anything (hey it's nice to know there is an engine down there running) when the speed picks up. The only solid mount Harley I rode, also was a package I didn't want to go very fast on anyway, so that worked out just fine (especially fine because it wasn't mine, I could return it). Bottom line, there are so many choices, how could anyone not find, what suits them just fine?

louemc said...Yeah, count me in on this, or in California terminology, I'm so down with that . Terms like vibration are so relative. Personally I like the situation of the rubber mount Harley. Gives good vibe at a stop light, smooth as anything (hey it's nice to know there is an engine down there running) when the speed picks up. The only solid mount Harley I rode, also was a package I didn't want to go very fast on anyway, so that worked out just fine (especially fine because it wasn't mine, I could return it). Bottom line, there are so many choices, how could anyone not find, what suits them just fine?

I agree Lou. There are so many bikes out there and so many choices for all types of riding styles. If someone wants a Harley, buy it but buy it because it's the best bike for you not because it says Harley-Davidson on the tank and your friends ride one. That's a big mistake in my book....

HogWild said......There are so many bikes out there and so many choices for all types of riding styles. If someone wants a Harley, buy it but buy it because it's the best bike for you not because it says Harley-Davidson on the tank and your friends ride one. That's a big mistake in my book....

HogWild said......There are so many bikes out there and so many choices for all types of riding styles. If someone wants a Harley, buy it but buy it because it's the best bike for you not because it says Harley-Davidson on the tank and your friends ride one. That's a big mistake in my book....

Many make that 'mistake', regardless of model/type.

It's just as bad for those that think Harley actually wins the NHRA PS bike championship. Nothing like stacking a deck.......... Gotta have that name right??